Researchers discover where coyote who made epic swim to Alcatraz really came from

May 6, 2026

A male coyote that made headlines for swimming to California's Alcatraz Island in January traveled much farther than scientists initially believed, according to new DNA analysis. While experts originally assumed the animal swam from San Francisco approximately one mile away, laboratory testing of the coyote's droppings revealed he actually originated from Angel Island State Park, located two miles from Alcatraz. The coyote, nicknamed Floyd by some observers, marked the first sighting of his species on the island since 1972, prompting officials to install monitoring equipment and consider relocation due to concerns about the native seabird population.

Who is affected

The male coyote (nicknamed Floyd)
National Park Service wildlife ecologist Bill Merkle and other NPS researchers
Scientists and tourists at Alcatraz Island
The native seabird population on Alcatraz
Three separate coyote populations in the San Francisco Bay Area
Researchers at the University of California Davis laboratory

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are stated in the article. The actions described (placing camera traps, launching relocation efforts, analyzing DNA samples) occurred in the past, and monitoring has revealed the coyote is no longer on the island.

Why it matters

This represents the first coyote sighting at Alcatraz since 1972, demonstrating the remarkable adaptability and resilience of coyotes as a species. The two-mile swim through cold, choppy waters showcases an impressive physical feat that exceeded researchers' initial assumptions about the animal's capabilities and origin. The incident also raises important considerations about wildlife management, particularly regarding potential impacts on native seabird populations when unexpected predators arrive in protected areas.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC